The 15-year-old passenger in the car, riding in the front seat, says in his statement he couldn't tell whether Butts was black or white.

CNN: Victim's son: 'They ran him over because he was black'

In a statement issued Wednesday, Faircloth, who lost his seat to Democrat John Edwards in 1998, made it clear he is not afraid to challenge Dole.

CNN: Dole switching voter registration to N.C.

He announced his candidacy on Wednesday morning in a video and written statement on his campaign website, ending months of speculation over whether he would seek to take back his former seat.

WSJ: Rematch Eyed in Nassau Vote